Welcome to the Bank Street Children's Book Committee's (CBC) Searchable Best Books List, a tool designed to help educators, families, librarians, and others access developmentally appropriate and engaging books for young readers (ages birth - 18).
Our online Searchable Best Books List draws from the committee's annual Best Children's Books of the Year-beginning with the list of books published in 2000-with each featuring more than 600 high-quality titles for young readers.
To share feedback about the tool, please feel free to email bookcom@bankstreet.edu. To learn more about the CBC, visit https://www.bankstreet.edu/cbc/.
How to Perform a Search and Save a List
Search
Advanced Search
The Nazi Hunters
by Neal Bascomb
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
This thrilling spy adventure follows the dangerous and meticulously planned capture of the infamous Adolf Eichmann. Extensive references, bibliography, and index.
by Neal Bascomb
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
This thrilling spy adventure follows the dangerous and meticulously planned capture of the infamous Adolf Eichmann. Extensive references, bibliography, and index.
The Paradox of Vertical Flight
by Emil Ostrovski
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Eighteen-year-old Jack didn't want to be a father, but when he sees his newborn son, everything changes, and he sets out on an improbable journey with the baby.
by Emil Ostrovski
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Eighteen-year-old Jack didn't want to be a father, but when he sees his newborn son, everything changes, and he sets out on an improbable journey with the baby.
The Theory of Everything
by Kari Luna
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
When 14-year-old Sophie moves from New York to Illinois with her mom, she must come to terms with visions, a disappearing father, a new best friend, and her shaman panda.
by Kari Luna
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
When 14-year-old Sophie moves from New York to Illinois with her mom, she must come to terms with visions, a disappearing father, a new best friend, and her shaman panda.
The Twelve-Fingered Boy
by John Hornor Jacobs
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
When fifteen-year-old Shreve and thirteen-year-old Jack become cellmates, they discover mind-altering talents, friendship, and a new world view.
by John Hornor Jacobs
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
When fifteen-year-old Shreve and thirteen-year-old Jack become cellmates, they discover mind-altering talents, friendship, and a new world view.
The War Within These Walls
by Aline Sax
Illustrator: Caryl Strzekecki
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
When deportations from the Warsaw ghetto begin, Misha joins the Jewish resistance fighting back against the Nazis. Grim, stark, black-and-white mixed-media illustrations.
by Aline Sax
Illustrator: Caryl Strzekecki
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
When deportations from the Warsaw ghetto begin, Misha joins the Jewish resistance fighting back against the Nazis. Grim, stark, black-and-white mixed-media illustrations.
The Wrap-up List
by Steven Arntson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Sixteen-year-old Gabriela has been selected for departure. She has just one week to discover Death's secret weakness and outwit him.
by Steven Arntson
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Sixteen-year-old Gabriela has been selected for departure. She has just one week to discover Death's secret weakness and outwit him.
This Is How I Find Her
by Sara Polsky
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Artistically talented but overburdened, Sophie has spent much of a lifetime caring for her mentally ill mother, often at the expense of friendship and schoolwork.
by Sara Polsky
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Artistically talented but overburdened, Sophie has spent much of a lifetime caring for her mentally ill mother, often at the expense of friendship and schoolwork.
This Song Will Save Your Life
by Leila Sales
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
When sixteen-year-old Elise, bullied and miserable, discovers a passion and the talent to be a disc jockey, it makes her life even more complicated. Will she find herself?
by Leila Sales
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
When sixteen-year-old Elise, bullied and miserable, discovers a passion and the talent to be a disc jockey, it makes her life even more complicated. Will she find herself?
Two Boys Kissing
by David Levithan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
The relationships of several homosexual teens and a transgender youth chronicle society's progress, but conflicts still imposed by their environment and their inner turmoil are recognized.
by David Levithan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
The relationships of several homosexual teens and a transgender youth chronicle society's progress, but conflicts still imposed by their environment and their inner turmoil are recognized.
When Love Comes to Town
by Tom Lennon
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Neil, a teenager in 1990s Dublin, must come to terms with the fact that he is gay as he seeks love and acceptance from family and friends.
by Tom Lennon
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Neil, a teenager in 1990s Dublin, must come to terms with the fact that he is gay as he seeks love and acceptance from family and friends.
Wicked Cruel
by Rich Wallace
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Three stories, set in a Monadnock, New Hampshire town, explore the impact of restless and often unhappy ghosts on young teens struggling with their own issues.
by Rich Wallace
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Three stories, set in a Monadnock, New Hampshire town, explore the impact of restless and often unhappy ghosts on young teens struggling with their own issues.
Yellowcake
by Margo Lanagan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Thirteen stories derived from fairy tales, myths and biblical sources are the foundation for these magical and haunting tales.
by Margo Lanagan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2013
Thirteen stories derived from fairy tales, myths and biblical sources are the foundation for these magical and haunting tales.
37 Things I Love (in no particular order)
by Kekla Magoon
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Will fifteen-year=old Ellis ever be able to let go of her hope that her critically injured father will recover?
by Kekla Magoon
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Will fifteen-year=old Ellis ever be able to let go of her hope that her critically injured father will recover?
After the Snow
by S. D. Crockett
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
In a terror-filled dystopian winter, fifteen-year-old Willo struggles to survive alone, until he finds an abandoned starving girl and her dying brother.
by S. D. Crockett
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
In a terror-filled dystopian winter, fifteen-year-old Willo struggles to survive alone, until he finds an abandoned starving girl and her dying brother.
A Girl Named Digit
by Annabel Monaghan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
High School senior Farrah, a math genius, learns to respect her abilities when she uncovers a terrorist plot and romantically connects with a government agent.
by Annabel Monaghan
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
High School senior Farrah, a math genius, learns to respect her abilities when she uncovers a terrorist plot and romantically connects with a government agent.
All the Right Stuff
by Walter Dean Myers
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
The summer after his junior year, Paul works in a soup kitchen in Harlem run by an older man who talks about life and the “social contract.”
by Walter Dean Myers
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
The summer after his junior year, Paul works in a soup kitchen in Harlem run by an older man who talks about life and the “social contract.”
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Two Latino teens forge an uncommon friendship and come to terms with family secrets, homosexuality, and what it means to love and be loved.
by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Two Latino teens forge an uncommon friendship and come to terms with family secrets, homosexuality, and what it means to love and be loved.
Beta
by Rachel Cohn
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Elysia, an experimental clone of a sixteen-year-old girl, has been bioengineered to be soulless and unfeeling. What will happen when someone discovers her defect?
by Rachel Cohn
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Elysia, an experimental clone of a sixteen-year-old girl, has been bioengineered to be soulless and unfeeling. What will happen when someone discovers her defect?
Burning Blue
by Paul Griffin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Jay, embarrassed by epilepsy, and Nicole, her face scarred by an unknown acid-throwing assailant, form a friendship and discover truths about themselves while solving the crime.
by Paul Griffin
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Jay, embarrassed by epilepsy, and Nicole, her face scarred by an unknown acid-throwing assailant, form a friendship and discover truths about themselves while solving the crime.
Bushman Lives!
by Daniel Pinkwater
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
One year from high school graduation, Harold and his best friend, Geets, are turned onto art and adventure in this zany Chicago-based tale.
by Daniel Pinkwater
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
One year from high school graduation, Harold and his best friend, Geets, are turned onto art and adventure in this zany Chicago-based tale.
Bzrk
by Michael Grant
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Two groups with different views of Utopia battle for the minds of humanity using nano- and biological technology.
by Michael Grant
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Two groups with different views of Utopia battle for the minds of humanity using nano- and biological technology.
Cinder
by Marissa Meyer
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
As a deadly plague ravages her town, Linh Cinder, a crack cyborg mechanic, must uncover secrets about her past to save her world from extinction.
by Marissa Meyer
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
As a deadly plague ravages her town, Linh Cinder, a crack cyborg mechanic, must uncover secrets about her past to save her world from extinction.
Code Name Verity
by Elizabeth Wein
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
During World War II, a secret agent and her best friend land in France behind Nazi lines. One gets back to Britain; the other is captured by the Nazis.
by Elizabeth Wein
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
During World War II, a secret agent and her best friend land in France behind Nazi lines. One gets back to Britain; the other is captured by the Nazis.
Come August, Come Freedom
by Gigi Amateau
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
In 1800 a Virginian slave leads a rebellion of slaves, blacks, poor whites, and native Americans. Includes original documents.
by Gigi Amateau
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
In 1800 a Virginian slave leads a rebellion of slaves, blacks, poor whites, and native Americans. Includes original documents.
Crazy
by Amy Reed
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Teen counselors Connor and Izzy's friendship is threatened by Izzy's increasingly alarming emails indicating mental illness.
by Amy Reed
Ages: 14+
Published: 2012
Teen counselors Connor and Izzy's friendship is threatened by Izzy's increasingly alarming emails indicating mental illness.